I’ve just returned from a refreshing mini-vacation to Boston and Portland, Maine with my sister. We planned this one a while ago, and it was pretty much what I’ve been looking forward to for most of the summer. Without having much of an income for most of 2012 due to the dietetic internship, I haven’t really been able to do much when it comes to the fun stuff, and anything termed vacation was pretty much out of the question. Now that I’m back to working my butt off to pay off (ridiculous) student loans, my rent and other crazy NYC expenses, I figure some fun is probably ok too.
sister and I at Portland Lobster Co.
I’ve never been to Maine but always pictured it to be a laid back, nature-y kind of place with good seafood and pretty beaches. Obviously we only went to one part of the state, but it definitely did not disappoint and we filled our days with good food, beer, lots of walking and a visit to a really cute island. My sister and I travel pretty well together – she plans 98% of the trip and I go along for the ride – and we usually end up getting exactly what we want out of it.
essential Maine item: eat Lobstah
One of my favorite things about vacation is the whole relaxation part. Being in a different environment automatically removes some of the every day life-stress and it’s just fun. Now that I have a job with a lot (31 days!) of vacation time, I hope to take advantage and do stuff like this more often. Within the budget, of course.
Anyways! The running still happened last week (obvi), so here’s a brief recap:
Monday: 8 miles easy, 20 minutes yoga for runners
Tuesday: 10.5 miles – 2 mile w/u, 4 x 1 mile repeats, ~3.5 miles c/d, strength (abs, arms)
Betsy and I met up for the workout and agreed on mile repeats. I was fresh off of Sunday’s race but the legs felt surprisingly ok and the repeats went pretty much as planned, around 7:30/mile.
Wednesday: 10 miles easy, strength (abs, legs)
Thursday: 8.25 miles easy, 20 minutes yoga for runners
Friday: 18 miles with 6 @ MP
Wanted to get the long run done before heading up to Boston, so Friday it was. My expectations for this run were kind of mixed and I was feeling a little tired before I started. MP miles were the goal, but I decided to not look at my Garmin and just go with it, using effort as my guide.
It worked perfectly, and I was pretty surprised when I looked back at the splits after uploading the data. Give or take a little, I was right on MP pace (~8:12/mile) and felt really good once I got going. I think not looking at the Garmin is going to be my new thing.
Saturday: 7 miles easy, in Boston
Early run before heading up to Maine, this was my first run in Boston since long before the bombings – May 2012 to be exact. It was kind of emotional running around such familiar spots that have been through so much change since I had last seen them. I took my usual route from my sister’s down Beacon Street and to the Charles River, but then instead of looping around Cambridge my legs took me past Beacon Hill, through the Public Garden and down Boylston to that spot.
from Tuesday, but you get the idea
Now it looks pretty normal, but those now infamous scenes from the news played through my head as I stopped for a second, said a little prayer and went on my way.
Sunday: rest
Total: 61.75 miles
Overall, feeling good! The long run was a big confidence boost and the weekend was a great one. I’m a little more sore than usual because I didn’t have a foam roller in Boston/Portland (doh!), but that’s ok. Everything is still in one piece and we’re moving into the home stretch with (ahhhh) 6 weeks to go until Wineglass.
Tell me: favorite mini-vacation spot? Do you do MP miles during long runs? When? I’ve been doing mine in the middle but I know a lot of runners do them more towards the end.